by Melissa Jane
“Your insolence is intolerable!” Hector barked. “If I didn’t need you alive to pay for your stupid brother's theft from me, I wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet through your head along with his.”
I met his eyes and the challenge.
“Go to hell.”
“I do not expect to be there before you, that much I can promise," he snorted in derision. "Perhaps in your new home, you will understand your insubordination carries consequences that may just remind you of a hell on earth. And while we are on that path, your new master has expressed his desire to obtain your affections in trade for his lost others who have all but vanished. Therefore, I have agreed to his request. If you want to wish anyone into damnation it should be your brother, for clearly lacking the heart to save his only sister from a life of servitude.”
That stung.
Deeply!
Like a fucking crater sized wound.
I wanted to believe Ethan would never have allowed this happen if he knew I was here. He would have found a way for us both to be safe again.
“How can you live with yourself? You can’t trade women like they are cattle,” I seethed.
His hateful, cruel laugh grated my already inflamed nerves. Hector would never stop trying to intimidate me and I only wished he weren’t so good at it.
“I. Can. Do. Whatever. I. So. Please,” he enunciated every word to its full effect and then paused to gauge my reaction. I didn’t grace him with any.
“So the parameters of our arrangement have changed,” Hector continued pacing in front of me as he spelt out my fate. “Due to the excessive use of resources, not to mention the original loss of my stakes, you will be handed over to your master upon his return in two days. Therefore, my lady, you will no longer be my problem and I cannot tell you how happy that makes me.”
“You were never going to set me free.”
Hector glanced over his shoulder at Aiden before returning his hateful glare to me. “Maybe so, but you are no longer my responsibility. And all I can say to that is fucking good riddance.”
I was acutely aware my mind had become numb to the emotional head fuck that was this place. These weren’t people with hearts, they were sadists who knew nothing about humanity, nor possessed a moral bone in their body. Aiden included.
Hector sauntered behind my numb body. He stood so close I could feel his pressed suit against my back. His mouth moved close to my ear where he continued with the vile taunting.
“I bet that beautiful head of yours is contemplating how to possibly satisfy a man like Alexsonov.” His cigar smelling breath irritated my sensitive skin, cold shivers running down my spine. “You see, he is a lot like me. I like my women cultured in the art of gratification.”
His cold fingers ran the length of my arm, the touch sending my body rigid with fear. Juan and Aiden watched on like perfectly attentive audience members.
“I also like them to know their place and the role they must play. I know for a fact that Alexsonov is a man of particular tastes. You can expect to be introduced to his most detailed fantasies, his sickest desires. If you are lucky you may survive longer than a week with him, although I am currently betting that after a day you will be ready to take your own life. Your prerogative, of course.”
Hector's hand travelled freely over my body, as if it were he who now possessed it. I cringed at his touch and his shocking description of my future. Juan, who stood in front of me, smirked at my reaction.
“I could be wrong, you see. You might thrive on the debauchery Alexsonov lives and breathes. You might find that it’s your… thing! Sometimes he likes to increase the numbers for his own pleasure; men, women, he has no preference. Other times, he will sit and watch while others take you for hours in a day. If he finds you like it too much or not enough, he gets his enjoyment from personally hurting you. The sight of blood and screams of pain only excite and further encourage a man like Alexsonov. He has no limits.”
Leaving me reeling from his words, Hector strolled casually to the decanter and poured himself a drink. He swallowed the glass in one mouthful before lighting another cigar. He regarded my broken state curiously as he made his way back to me, leaving a trail of smoke behind him. Coming to a stop directly in front of my face, I almost gagged at the stench that clung to the air particles.
“What a shame I can’t keep you as my own whore.”
His face moved closer to mine, but I turned away rejecting his advance, his lips grazing my cheek instead of my mouth. Pulling back, he smirked, his eyes hooded. “Of course, if that were the case I would not have found reason to restrain myself from disciplining you; in fact, it would have turned me on seeing you struggle against me for the first day, then be on your knees begging me for kindness the next. But a deal is a deal.”
Stealing a glance in Aiden’s direction, I wanted nothing more than to see some hope, even the most miniscule amount; instead, I saw him standing face on with Hector, his body upright and composed, his face devoid of all emotion. It was sickening to see he was unaffected by the whole affair. I had been a fool to consider him as anything other than my captor.
“Do you have anything you would like to say?”
Hector eyed me suspiciously as he stepped back.
I had a lot to say. Instead, I gave him the one thing that upsets him the most.
Silence.
He studied me carefully, his eyes narrowed into thin slits.
“Take her.”
Hector dismissed me with a wave of his hand. The brutes lurched forward, grabbing each of my arms and escorted me to the door.
“And ensure the bitch receives our finest hospitality,” Hector taunted. “You know… something to remember me by.”
***
I relied on the brutes to carry most of my body weight back to the room. As soon as I had walked through the library door and into the hall my strength had all but abandoned me.
Carlos made no qualms in taking up Hector’s recommendation of showing me his finest hospitality, though I was too overcome with emotion to allow his words to affect me.
“How does it feel, sweetheart?” Carlos began his jeering. “I know how I can make you feel better. You might not like it at first, but I am certain you would come round to it.”
He laughed deeply, clearly enjoying his efforts of trying to goad me. I couldn’t have cared less and made no effort to respond.
“Answer me, puta,” his voice grew angry fast, his arm roughly jolting me as we started climbing the stairs.
“Perhaps she needs a little encouragement,” said Raul, who before this night, had hardly ever said a word against me. Him speaking out now almost felt like a betrayal.
“Perhaps she needs to hear a little detail of how Ethan begged like a bitch for his life.” Carlos mocked.
We were halfway up the flight of stairs when I turned on the asshole. What did I have to lose? I was dead anyway! Looking at him square on, I welcomed the boiling rage that barreled through my body.
“Save your breath, asshole. I don’t care what you say to me. Talk all you want, but your opinion means shit.”
Carlos’s meaty bear paw wrapped tightly around my throat, squeezing with such force I thought his fingers would penetrate my skin. Both my hands clamped around his arm, pulling frantically hoping he would loosen his grip. He drew me closer until our noses touched, his eyes radiating pure hatred. I returned the look with equal measure. I was over being fucked with.
“Listen here, whore. I met your brother and he was a fucking snake right from the very start, thinking he could fuck us all over. Didn’t use his common sense, you see. Just like what you’re doing now. Fucking me off with your sharp tongue!” His grip increased and I gritted my teeth against the pain. “The asshole deserved to have his brain sprayed across the desert and if you’re not careful sweetheart, you will be joining him.”
Carlos flung me backward with careless ease and I landed heavily like a limp rag doll on the stairs, my ribs screaming in agony as they came into brutal co
ntact with the marbled edges. Pain seared through every inch of me as I was rendered immobile. The base of my skull had collided with a sickening thud on the edge of a step, leaving me dazed and unable to transmit signals to the rest of my body.
Carlos lowered his bulk over my non-responsive frame, easily pinning my hands above my head and trapping my legs with his own. The fear of paralysis faded as I welcomed the pins and needles tingling through my limbs. He seethed through bared teeth, his muscular form restraining me from any movement. I could not gather my thoughts fast enough to counter his swift movements, my head still battling against the constant thudding. Carlos’s hand was large enough to grasp both my wrists, while the other pulled the shoulder strap of my negligee until the small strip of fabric ripped.
“Get off me,” I screamed, although to my ears I was sure my words sounded slurred. Turning my face to avoid his breath, I saw Raul a couple of steps down keeping an apathetic look out.
“Keep digging sweetheart,” Carlos sneered. He slid the silk material of my negligee down, revealing my breast. Cupping my pale flesh, his fingers squeezed ruthlessly until a squeal escaped my mouth.
Carlos muttered a string of obscenities under his breath, his eyes like a man possessed. Gripping my hair with his free hand, he tilted my head to the side, his offensive tongue sliding over my right cheek leaving a trail of saliva in its wake. He laughed as I openly cringed, then licking his lips, he covered my own. The wetness of his mouth and his groin grinding between my thighs made me want to be vomit. His tongue forced entry through my pursed lips and invaded the inside of my mouth. The slippery thickness of it felt like a slimy slug thrashing wildly about until I caught it between my teeth and bit down hard.
A dense blow from his fist to my ribs left me winded beyond comprehension. Wincing with pain and coughing for air, I barely felt Carlos’s weight lift from me as he towered over my body. With his tongue safely back in his mouth and albeit with a pained expression on his face, he stood on the step before me. I wasn’t blind or too ignorant to see the revenge now glistening in his beady eyes. What I didn’t see was his steel-capped boot smash into my already pained ribs. The dull thud was sickening, the impact winding me beyond comprehension. The force of the blow sent me some four feet across the staircase on my stomach.
I watched with dread anticipation as he prepared to take another swing. My body tensed and my eyes squeezed closed against the impending pain. I waited and nothing happened.
Tentatively opening my eyes, I saw Carlos falling down the stairs, his arms and legs flailing about mid-air. He landed just as hard as I did, an agonized groan sounding from his twisted snarl. Confused by what was happening, I propped myself up on my elbow, wincing as pain flared down the side of my body. Raul was crouched on the floor, both hands covering his mouth and nose, dark blood leaking from between his fingers as he moaned in agony. To the right, a furious Juan loomed over a sprawling Carlos, his boot firmly positioned under Carlos’s chin, crushing his windpipe.
“Mantener sus manos fuera de ella!” Juan yelled, his anger reverberating through the halls. “If you fucking left a mark on her body so help me God you fucking asshole, I will slit your throat like the fucking pig you are!”
Carlos’s puffy face turned a sickening shade of purple, his wheezy breath struggling to get into his lungs. Acknowledging his warning from Juan, Carlos blinked rapidly, his legs shaking and kicking in desperation. Juan turned in my direction, his dark expression a frightening sight. Without taking his gaze off me, he released the brute who rolled onto his side coughing and clutching desperately at his throat.
Juan advanced up the stairs, he remained silent until he reached me, bending at the knees, his arms extended forward.
“Stay away from me,” I said weakly.
“Not going to happen.” He shrugged off my hostility. “Come,” he said, scooping me up off the hard marble stairs. I didn’t have the strength to struggle. I ached and hurt like never before. I was certain his reasons for saving me were purely so that my body remained in perfect condition for Alexsonov. The beating I had just received would most certainly leave deep bruising, possibly even a few fractured ribs.
Weak and exhausted, my head lolled into Juan’s chest where I cried audible sobs. He responded by tightening his hold, the small show of affection only encouraging the tears. So much had happened to me, my body and my mind tormented for so long, but losing Ethan had been the most devastating blow. Juan pushed open the bedroom and carried me to the bed.
“Shh,” he comforted. “It is ok now, bonita.” Lowering me onto the comforter, I witnessed unexpected sincerity in his eyes. I wanted to believe him, but I knew he wasn’t the one to promise me safety. Juan stroked his thumb over my cheek, catching stray tears, his intent gaze remaining on mine. He was pissed off, that much I could tell. His brows creased together and his jaw set in a grim line.
Juan wasn’t as handsome as Aiden, being more a pretty boy compared to Aiden’s manly ruggedness, but his features were undeniably striking. I had often thought it was his eyes that contained so much evil and made him unattractive. That and his treatment of women. However, now, as he sat on the edge of the bed, I saw a different side. His eyes no longer speared mine with wickedness, instead they were filled with concern.
“Thank you,” I gasped, all I could manage as more tears flowed.
“Roll over,” he instructed gently. “Onto your side.”
Turning my back to him was not a wise move so I remained still.
Juan sighed heavily, looking rather exhausted himself. “Laila, turn on your side.”
Swallowing hard, I did as he said and his hand came to rest on my waist.
Despite it all, I was thankful that Juan’s hand was soft and tender as his fingers splayed across my ribs, feeling for swelling and checking for bruising. The gentle touch I received both threw me off-guard and had me re-questioning his motives. In all surprise, I found myself enjoying his rhythmic movements that soothed my aching body. I never thought I would see the day I would allow him to touch me so intimately after what he had done over a week ago.
He was being careful not to hurt me and I was eternally thankful for that. Why he felt the need to be that way with me, I didn’t care, as long as he wasn’t participating as one of my abusers anymore. Moving my face away from the sodden pillow I turned to face him, his grim expression that of concern.
“Thank you,” I murmured again.
“You have already said that,” Juan replied, his eyebrows pulling together in contemplation.
“I mean it.” A part of me hoped I could instill some humanity into the man who had played a major role in my downfall. He gave a small nod in acknowledgement.
“Aiden didn’t tell you he was going to kill Ethan did he?”
No, he hadn’t!
My heart ached, his question striking deep within my soul and sending a barrage of emotions bubbling to the surface. My little brother was gone. There was no way to bring him back. No way to even dignify his life with a proper burial. I had no idea where his body was or if anyone would ever find it!
I shook my head, closing my eyes tight against the pain that consumed my very being and allowed more tears, tears for my brother, to spill down my cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” Juan said. He was either truly sincere or a damn good actor.
“Why are you sorry?” I asked, tentatively.
“Because you trusted him.”
I remained silent for a while contemplating his words and reflecting on my brother’s life.
Juan interrupted my thoughts. “I will send Sophia in with some ice. You will need it.”
“You’re leaving?” My voice sounded like a needy teenager, yet in all honesty, I didn’t even know why I even cared he was leaving. I shouldn’t even want this man anywhere near me.
Juan stood from the bed facing me, his pants tenting at the groin revealing his true feelings. My face shot away in embarrassment and panic.
“Mamasita, those assholes
have done enough damage to you. If I stay and do what I… want to do, then I run the risk of worsening your injuries.”
I remained silent, not knowing what to say. I didn’t want to give Juan any attention that might be misinterpreted as interest. My body didn’t relax until I heard the door close and lock behind him.
Safely on my own for the time being, I sobbed until my chest hurt and the violent tremors that racked my body from grief settled me into a drowsy coma.
Piece by piece my heart broke.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Laila
My eyes flew open in fright, pitch blackness and a sense of dread meeting me head on. My palms were damp and a trickle of sweat ran down my neck. The tiny hairs on my arms stood on end, alerting me to a potential danger. Someone was in my room and it was making my skin crawl. I felt like the situation was out of my control before I had even woken. My whole body remained rigid in bed, too afraid to move an inch, although my mind was screaming at me to run, but to where?
I waited for what felt like forever in silent agony, attuning all senses to identify any noises or movements around me.
Nothing!
I forced my aching muscles to relax, allowing my shoulders to settle back on the mattress, chiding myself for my hyper-paranoia. Closing my swollen eyes, ignoring the vibes still haunting me, drowsiness again came knocking.
And that’s when I breathed in his cologne.
A dip in the mattress next to me sent me off-kilter until a strong hand clasped over my mouth stifling my scream with a cloth. My attempts to buck him off thwarted by the upper hand he had from the beginning. He lowered his large body onto mine until he encased me with his limbs. I was trapped underneath, the weight of him pressing into my sore ribs.
Seconds later, my mind became foggy and the world faded around me.
***
The relentless jostling motions woke me from my heavy sleep. My head was pitifully sore and my body felt weak and ached all over. It was dark in the small space that surrounded me but I could still make out I was in a vehicle of some kind. It was almost a month ago I had been in the same position I was in now, except this time my hands and feet were not bound and a pillow lay under my head. Sporadic street lights offered some break from the darkness but only momentarily.